Listen to the tales of Kingston’s historic past as you discover Canada’s first capital by Trolley. Kingston Trolley Tours depart outside of the Visitor Information Centre across from Kingston City Hall in the heart of downtown Kingston.
The combined narration between the GPS-triggered narration system and your experienced tour guide gives you the best local knowledge of the area with a detailed description of local landmarks. This narration explains Kingston’s more than three hundred years of history in an informative yet entertaining way. From Kingston’s historic old town and downtown shopping district, to the east of Fort Henry and to the west at Kingston Penitentiary, the Kingston Trolley Tour embraces the entire city.
With 9 trolley stops you are able to Hop on, Hop off. Well what does this mean? When purchasing a trolley ticket, you are able to purchase a 24 hr, 48 hr, or 72 hr pass that allows you access to get on and depart the Trolley at any of the Trolley stops during that time period. During your trip, you are able to hop off to take in a museum, do some shopping, grab a meal or experience an attraction, with the flexibility of being able to hop on the next trolley and continue your journey throughout the city.
Several trolley stops highlight some of the more than 30 museums, art galleries and historic sites that Kingston has to offer. Starting at the historic Kingston City Hall, a recognizable landmark on Kingston’s waterfront since 1844, take a guided tour and discover that the building has been home to a bank, church groups, theatre productions, a courtroom, a jail, a women’s medical school and even a saloon! Then visit the Royal Military College Museum of Canada to learn about the history of RMC and the locations naval history as the Royal Navy Dockyard once occupied Point Fredrick. Next you will come across Fort Henry NHS. Did you know that Fort Henry is a National Historic Site? Be sure to take a tour of the Fort and learn about the life of the Fort Henry Guard! Tickets can be found here.
A stop at Market Square is next. Market Square is home to the oldest continuously run public market in Canada, conveniently located right outside Kingston City Hall! Just a short walk away is St. George’s Anglican Cathedral. Built in 1825 by Thomas Rogers and enlarged in 1891 by Joseph Power, the traditional cathedral dome and clock tower still stand.
Take in the The next stop will take you to the Pump House Steam Museum, where you can stop by and learn about history in motion. The museum itself is located in one of our country’s oldest water works that provided Kingston residents with running water by steam-powered pumps. Bellevue House National Historic Site, the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, is the next stop on your Trolley Tour.
The Trolley will then bring you to Canada’s Penitentiary Museum. The Museum is located in the former Warden’s residence, across the Street from the former Kingston Pen. Portsmouth Olympic Harbour is located just down the hill, home to sailing events in the 1976 Olympics and currently, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston.
The Kingston Trolley Tour then takes you to Queens University. Home to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Miller Museum of Geology, Union Gallery, Museum of Health Care at Kingston, Queens University Archives and nearby Murney Tower. There is a lot to discover on the vibrant historic university campus. Murney Tower is one of four Martello Towers located in Kingston. The tower was designed as a fortification along Kingston’s waterfront and is now part of the Rideau Canal UNSECO World Heritage Site.
Hop On or Hop Off any of the nine convenient stops:
- Visitor Information Centre, City Hall
- The Royal Military College of Canada
- Fort Henry
- Market Square
- Pump House Steam Museum
- Bellevue House
- Canada’s Penitentiary Museum
- Queen’s University
- Princess St. Entertainment and Shopping District
The Trolley will finish at the shopping and entertainment district. Be sure to end your Kingston Trolley Tour with a night on the town, take in a show at the Grand Theatre and a grab a meal at one of the many award winning restaurants that call Kingston home.
With the trolley windows rolled up and the fresh air on your skin, you feel connected to the city’s deep heritage, while you take in the vibrant, energetic city. Some people say that age is only a state of mind, does that apply to a city too? Come discover that Kingston is truly where history and innovation thrive.
You can purchase tickets at the Ticket Booth at 1 Brock Street, Kingston ON or purchase tickets online. The K-Pass, a city-wide attraction pass, is also available so that you can save on a Thousand Islands Cruise, Trolley Ticket, and museum admission by purchasing a K-Pass.
Be a tourist for the day and experience all that Kingston has to offer. Our City awaits you!